There is one thing that Generation Next is always sure of: They know what time it is.

Cell phones, personal digital assistants, iPods, they all have timepieces. You’d have to be completely unwired to not know what time it is … and when’s the last time anyone under the age of 25 was completely unwired?

And yet, everyone is still wearing fine watches. What’s more, the fashion of the times calls for old-guard-looking chronographs often with “old school” Roman numerals. Roman numerals in the digital age; Einstein was right, it’s all circular … like fashion.

“You don’t buy a Cartier timepiece to tell time. You buy it to tell about you,” explained Mike Spezialetti, Assistant Vice President of Cartier. “It’s about the look,” echoed Mayors Senior Vice President of Merchandising Audrey Alvarez. “It’s not necessarily about the time.”

The industry knows that watches tell more than the time. It’s a game of exclusivity.

“We’re a designer-label society,” said Boca Raton, Fla.-based jeweler David Stern. “I’m not in the ‘need’ business. I’m in the ‘want’ business. Sure it’s a different generation now with all the computers. But the same person who drives a BMW, Mercedes or a Porsche is going to have a nice watch on. And he’s going to have his PDA too, and everything else with it.”

Stern says he carries the Swiss Dubey-Schaldenbrand brand of watches ($4,000 to $25,000) because of the exclusive limited edition qualities of the line. “It’s a watch-collector’s watch. People buy it because it’s unique and everyone wants something that’s one-of-a-kind.”

“I don’t care if you have a cell phone and an iPod on you, young people still love wearing beautifully designed things on their wrists. Young people love expressing themselves with their fashion and their jewelry and their electronics. They want something with all the bells and whistles; but also looks great.”

Coirm, Pito, Sor, Zithos. No matter how you say it beer is a word that is understood around the world. From Ireland to Greece, Miracle Baseball will give Southwest Florida a chance to taste some of the finest beers from around the world at the third annual Ballpark Festival of Beers at Hammond Stadium.

On Saturday, January 27, over 35 different types of beer will quench the taste buds of even the most die hard beer drinker. From 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., for just $20, patrons will receive 20 sampling tickets, each good for a four ounce taste of their favorite beer and the first 350 people will receive a commemorative sampling glass presented by Shoeless Joe’s Sports Café. They will also receive tickets good for the Best of the Ballpark Wing Contest, with local restaurants such as Mr. Burro, Stoney’s, Potts Sports Café and many more participating restaurants.

Along with great beers and wings, the entertainment is sure to bring the house down with the rocking sounds of Vintage Vinyl. Cigars of Ybor will offer a cigar rolling station for those who enjoy the finer tastes of tobacco.

The Ballpark Festival of Beers is a 21 and over event. Kids, babies in strollers and anyone under the age of 21 will not be allowed into the event. Tickets can be purchased in advance by calling the Miracle office at (239) 768-4210 or on the evening of the event.

Editor’s Note > Zithos is the Greek, scientific, word for beer. Or in plain modern Greek you can also call it “beera” (pronounced as “bee-ra”).

A drummer, king of all the drummer jokes, decides to change his instrument. After some thought, he decides on the accordion so goes to the music store and says to the owner, “I’d like to look at the accordions, please.”

The owner gestures to a shelf in the corner and says “All our accordions are over there.”

After browsing, the drummer says, “I think I’d like the big red one in the corner.”

There are far less ways for a guy to accessorize so when he does, he better make it count. Take a guy’s watch for example. There’s something distinctly masculine and comforting about a man who wears a watch, and likely the main way for a guy to punch up his look the way a woman would with her designer handbag.

Big faces have been the trend for awhile, though the wide, cuff-like straps are a bit played out now. I like watches that have arresting details. For the 20-30s set, the Vestal“Montecarlo” watch, at $150, is a relatively affordable watch that stands out with its funky retro feel and wood panel-like face. Nixon watches, are another good pick for the casual So Cal guy. Other $200 and below choices include: Diesel and Fossil.

For those who have a bit more discerning taste (read: more moola) check out watches by Italian brand U-Boat. Known for its 18th-century craftmanship and sleek but refined designs, look to spend upward of $3,500 a pop. Other high-end timepieces worth a look: Baume & Mercier, Breitling, Omega and Raymond Weil.

For the high rollers out there, the Cartier Roadster screams luxury at $5k to $10k each. That’s the equivalent of an Hermes Birkin bag for the ladies … don’t get me started on the $20K and up timepieces by Patek Philippe.